Llysdinam Gardens; among the loveliest in mid Wales
Llysdinam Gardens are among the loveliest in mid Wales, especially noted for a magnificent display of rhododendrons and azaleas in May. Join head gardener, Becky for an introduction to this wonderful garden:
A closer look
Covering six acres in all, the gardens at Llysdinam command sweeping views down the Wye Valley. Successive family members have developed the gardens over the last 150 years to include woodland with specimen trees, large herbaceous and shrub borders and a water garden, all of which provide varied and colourful planting throughout the year. The Victorian walled kitchen garden and extensive greenhouses grow a wide variety of vegetables, hothouse fruit and exotic plants.
Llysdinam hall was bought by Richard Venables in 1829 as a fishing lodge but was developed by subsequent members of the family to its largest extent in the late 1800’s. At this point the hall resembled a Scottish castle in grey granite with towers and crenellations, however by the 1950’s it had been reduced in size and was remodelled in a 1930’s style, which is how it appears today.
The Llewelyn family have had a history of being interested in Astronomy, Botany and photography with connections to an Astronomer Royal and Fox Talbot (one of the early pioneers in photography). The family seat at Penllergaer in Swansea had not only its own Observatory but Orchid houses and subterranean fernery. So with such an interest in science and horticulture it is not surprising that family members bred their own forms of daffodil and Rhododendron – such as “Penllergaer Red” – which are present in the garden today.
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